Airtel DSL Review

Focus of the Post : Express Yourself

Reduce Broadband Tariffs rather than spending millions on Rehman,Tendulkar,Zaheer,Gambhir,Shahrukh,Kareena,Saif,Madhavan,Vidya...

Circle: UPE

City: Lucknow

Packages Used:

DSL 999 - 256kbps Unlimited + Rs.50 modem rental + Service Tax@12.5 - Used for three months from October07-December 07
DSL 499 - 64kbps Unlimited + Zero rental on modem + 100 Free Pulses + Service Tax@12.5 - Jan08-Aug08
DSL 799 - 256kbps Unlimited + Zero Rental on modem + Serive Tax@12.5 - Aug08-Sep08
Current Plan - BSNL 500 Decided to stay with Airtel coz i dont have enough time to run when the BB is down.
DSL 599+100 - 128kbps Unlimited + 100 topup for 256kbps UL
Home 799 - Few months
Explorer 1099(Airtel/UE/FL/002) - 384kbps UL  + 1Mbps Night(10-5) UL - Great plan but still costly for me . The plan was extinct within days after launched .
DSL 599 - 128Kbps UL Exam Time couldnt migrate back to Explorer 1099
DSL 599 -  256kbps UL - New plan launched in UPE - 30th Dec 09 .Earlier the plan was available in Punjab. The difference between this and 799UL is the removal of free 100pulses.

Total Installation cost for Airtel Broadband
Madatory:-Rs 500 installtion charges for wiring and Beetel ADSL modem or Rs 1500 for ADSL Wifi-Router(Beetel 450BX).If airtel is new in your colony and they are expanding their customer base,the installation might be completely free.

Optional Landline:-Rs 350 for Airtel Trend Landline Phone with SIM reader.Its optional to buy a LL unit from Airtel but the sales agent will insist that you buy them.This is an excellent phone the only problem is its display.After few months of usage the first few digits on the callerID will vanish.Another option is to go for a cordless phone CB53000 for Rs500.This  is also a good phone for indian conditions with 2 AAA rechargable Ni-MH batteries on the cordless handset and a backup battery for the receiver unit !!! that is built in the charger.The units will be repaired free of cost as long as you keep the connection.BSNL offers a free CLID instrument with their connection.

-Extremely fast broadband installtion.Normally 1-3 days.They have separate departments for landline and braodband.Landline is installed first and broadband is installed the next day.Extermel


Positive Points :
-DL speeds were good,zero downntime.
-Speed of 27-30KBps during day for 256kbps connection.After 10.30pm the speed increases upto 60kBps(45-60).The night double speed is an unofficial Airtel offering and has been stopped from Aug 2008 in my city.
-Good quality landline phone given for under Rs.500.
-Zero rental for modem on most plans.
-Extremely responsive helpline.
-100 pulses free for DSL499 plan.
-Extremely professional and top-notch broadband installation and you dont have to feed the pockets of lineman.
-After using Airtel for a more than a year its only two times when i got less than advertised speeds.(underground sea cable problem).
-Plan change within 1-2 days.During holidays you can upgrade to higher speed plans and downgrade to the cheapest plan when you are not using the internet at all.Fair calcution of tariff when changing plans

Negative Points:

-Self imposed hello tune charges of Rs30.Hello Tune another first from Airtel is an old weaponry used to overcharge and harass its customers.
-Billing problems initially but all resolved under few hours.
-Very few payment centres in Lucknow.
-There is high probability that you wont recieve your first bill coz if you quit the connection in the first month then commission is deducted from sales agent salary.
-Cheque Bounce charge of Rs 200.
-LIES - When downgrading to a cheaper plan you may be told that the plan is "not available in your area"(by area they mean colony).Simply tell them to disconnect the broadband or downgrade the plan.
-LIES - Ownership of the modem is not made clear.BSNL charges monthly rent for modem or you can purchase the modem by paying an amount of Rs.1200 depending on the type of modem.In case of airtel you have to pay an installation charge of Rs500(or Rs1500 for Wi-Fi) but all plans are rent free.According to the call centre guys you have to submit the modem when disconnecting the connection.Smart tactics.
-Secret plans 

Features:-
Speed on Demand -

Landline Features:- Caller Tunes,Call Forwarding

General View

Airtel has extremely HIGH standards on in-house wiring,overhead wiring and everything related to your broadband.Few of my friends  have switched from Reliance Broadnet to Airtel just because of wiring issues.. If you are going for Airtel then opt for an unlimited plan because i dont think airtel has a proper usage checking system set up.Go for the least speed BB plan available and then upgrade.


Security Issues:-
-Airtel uses your complete landline number with STD code as username and account number as PPPoE password.If you forgot to change your default modem password then anyone can log into your modem and know your phone number.The username and password can then be used by the hacker to overbill the victim.Most people opt for unlimited plans but speed on demand works as advertised.

-To change your speed you just need some other persons username and password.

-In most circles the PPPoE password can be changed by logging into the local airtel portal.Its twelve months Jan-Dec08 but i have not been able to change my password in UPE.The local airtel portal is down and if anyone knows your account number(printed on the bill) then he can use your account.Port binding was implemented in Lucknow on August 18,2008.There are many cities where port binding has not yet been implemented.


I would rate Airtel as the best ISP.I suggest you to keep Airtel if 50-100 bucks doesnt matter to you..If you are a web addict then another great option would be to take two connections, one from BSNL(Rs 500 upto 2mbps) and one from Airtel(UL plan)


Airtel Broadband Settings
Username: stdcode7digitlandlinenumber_dsl@airtelbroadband.in (eg:- 05224080814_dsl@airtelbroadband.in)
Password : Eight Digit Account Number printed on the bill

Deafult password modem : password

ATM PVC Configuration
VPI: [0-255] - 1
VCI: [1-65535] - 32

Xbox 360: How to connect to Bharti Airtel (India)


Beetel Bx1 ADSL modem USB(Un Suitable for Broadband) drivers

Why i am thinking of  switching to BSNL:-

-I stopped receiving Bonus Speeds at Night in 256kbps UL
-256kbps UL is cheaper by Rs.50
-IPTV available on BSNL
-20% discount for central-state government employees.

Contd. with Airtel

Update -28/7/09

Before You Format Your Windows PC - Everything You Need to Backup

Focus of the post:- Checklist before you format your widows PC.Here are things you need to remember before you format your Windows PC.Every now and then i come across people crying after a fresh windows install.For some of my friends a windows reinstall is a monthly job and for some who use computers as dvd players its a yearly job. It depends on how much you use your windows,the more you use it the more it wears out.

Before you press Enter,Scroll down

1. Firefox Data   

All personal information including bookmards,passwords,browsing history,extensions,etc that needs to be backed up is placed in the firefox profile folder.Path of the profile folder:- "C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\profile folder"  or simply goto Run and type "%appdata%/mozilla".Descriptions of all the files under the profile folder can be found here.

• Bookmark Backup
  

1. Backup your Bookmarks manually in HTML(merge while restore) and JSON(replace while restore) formats 

2. In Firefox 2 and lower versions bookmarks were stored in the file "bookmarks.html" located in the profile folder.In Firefox 3,bookmarks and browsing history are stored "places.sqlite" instead of bookmarks.html.

• Backup your Complete Profile Folder located in C:\Documents and Settings\Profile Name\Application Data\Mozilla Firefox\Profile
  
• Backup your History and Bookmarks by manually copying places.sqlite from the Firefox Profile Folder.Backup cookies by copying cookies.sqlite from the Firefox Profile Folder.
  
• Backup the complete Extensions folder in profile folder to restore your extensions later on.
  
• Backup username,passwords and never save exceptions stored in sigons3.txt(Encrypted)  and key3.db(Encryption Key) or alternatively use Password Exporter Extension to restore username and passwords.signons3.txt is useless without key3.db.
  
• You can also use Mozbackup(compatible with other Mozilla Products)  or the FEBE extension(not the best option) to restore stuff.
• Foxmarks extension can be used to synchronize bookmarks and passwords across different computers.Google browser sync was better but its dead.Comparison of browser synchronizers.

Personally i use the built-in Mozilla Profile Manager to create separate profiles in a safe location on the harddisk.Edit the firefox shortcut to "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox 3\Firefox.exe" -p to activate Profile Manager.

How to backup Firefox 3 settings under Linux
 

2. BitTorrent Data and Settings

• Settings and Resume Data - Backup up the entire contents of folder %AppData%/utorrent
• .Torrent Files - Stored in %AppData%/utorrent by default or your custom folder set through Options>>Pref>>Directories>>Store .Torrents in or Move .torrents for finished jobs to:(for seeding)
  
• Default Download Location - C:\Documents and Settings\Profile Name\My Documents\Downloads

uTorrent FAQS:-

• How can I use µTorrent on a USB key or other removable drive?

Simply copy settings.dat (located in %AppData%\uTorrent ) to the same folder as uTorrent.exe, and you're done.

• How can I share my torrents between user profiles / make µTorrent run self-contained in one directory? 

Simply copy the entire contents of %AppData%\uTorrent into the same folder as utorrent.exe. Alternatively, create a blank file named settings.dat in the same folder as utorrent.exe, if you'd like to start out fresh (no settings/torrents). If using it in a multi-user environment, this folder should be accessible and writeable by all users so they can share settings and resume data.

3. Flashget

• Save completed and uncompleted downloads(.jc!) from default location C:\Downloads.
• Download and Resume - Settings for downloading and resuming later are saved in default.jcd database.Make sure you backup the database before reinstallion.
  

Save the download database

4.Google Desktop - In earlier GD versions default Index location was "C:\Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Google Desktop".The index location can be only be changed by editing the registry.In latest versions - Google Desktop 5.1+ the files are indexed in the partition with the most available free space.Google hasnt updated its GD help.

• Exit GD and copy your index files to a safe location.
• After reinstallation change registry keys as in the screenshot.

• Suggest features for google desktop here and dont forget to click on Change Index Location under Improve control over indexing. 

Backup index - Google Help

TweakGDS - TweakGDS is a useful GD plugin which allows you to change index location and include/exclude partitions for indexing.

5.GAME SAVED FILES -  Most of the games create save files inside their installed directories but some of them spit save files outside their installed directories.

"C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\NFS Underground" - Hidden Folder

"C:\Documents and Settings\ProfileName\Local Settings\Application Data\NFS Underground 2" - Hidden Folder

"C:\Documents and Settings\ProfileName\My Documents\NFS Most Wanted"

"C:\Documents and Settings\ProfileName\My Documents\NFS Carbon"

6.GAME REGISTRY KEYS - Most OpenGL games continue to run after a clean install because they store the cd key information inside the installed directories.Few of the games stores cd-key info and other settings inside the registry and wont run after a fresh windows install.You must manually backup the registry keys by going >>Run>>Regedit.exe>>Find>>Game Name.If you backup few of the registry keys.Restore *.reg files after a fresh install.

Error Message after fresh install

Save Registry Keys

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Unreal Technology]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Unreal Technology\Installed Apps]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Unreal Technology\Installed Apps\UT2004]
"Folder"="I:\\GAMES\\UT 2004"
"Version"="3186"
"CDKey"="Your Pirated CD-KEY HERE"
"ADMIN_RIGHTS"="You need to run this program as an administrator, not as a guest or limited user account."
"NO_DISC"="No disc in drive. Please insert the disc labeled 'Unreal Tournament 2004 Play Disc' to continue."
"NO_DRIVE"="No CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive detected."
"TITLEBAR"="Unreal Tournament 2004"
"WRONG_DISC"="Wrong disc in drive. Please insert the disc labeled 'Unreal Tournament 2004 Play Disc' to continue."
"YEAR"="2004"

Resultant UT2004.reg

7. Rainlendar

• Use the Backup and Restore feature  to backup all your calendars and Rainlender files in zip format.Multiple calendars will be copied in the zip archive.This is similar to Google Calendars "Export My Calendar" feature.By default rainlender files are created in C:\Documents and Settings\ProfileName\.rainlendar2.The default calendar (default.ics) is created in the same folder.Change the location of the default calendar to a secure location on the harddisk.

 Change the default calendar location and Backup all the calendars and settings using the backup option

• Use the File>>Export feature to backup up all or a particular event and task.
• If you are using multiple calendars (separate for office,personal,etc) then backup them indiviually in iCalendar format using the Export feature.
  

Official Rainlender FAQs:-

•  Can I install Rainlendar2 to a USB memory?
  

Yes, you can. If you use the Windows version the installer can do this automatically for you. You can also just copy everything in the Rainlendar's folder to the USB memory and create an empty text file called rainlendar2.ini in the same folder where the executable is. This will make Rainlendar2 to use it's own folder for the settings and it will also store all the events and tasks to the same folder too.

• Where is all the data stored?

By default the settings files and the events/tasks are stored in a folder called .rainlendar2 inside your home folder. The location depends on your operating system.Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\[yourname]\.rainlendar2.Windows Vista: C:\Users\[yourname]\.rainlendar2\rainlendar2.ini.Linux: ~/.rainlendar2 or ~/.config/.rainlendar2.Mac OS X: ~/.rainlendar2.You can change the location of the ics-file where the events and tasks are stored from Options->Calendars.If you want to store the settings somewhere else you can start Rainlendar2 with -c [path] command line parameter (the [path] defines the path to the settings).You can also move the rainlendar2.ini file to the same folder where the executable is located. This makes Rainlendar to use it's own folder to store all the settings which is useful e.g. if you have installed the application to a USB memory.

8. Windows XP Activation Data - Follow the instructions here or here. 

9.Wireless Settings - Since most of the things in the post holds true for Vista. So here is a tool to backup wireless settings in WheezeTa.It is "Handy small program, that knows to backup and restore all wireless networks setting from your computer. For some reason, there is no way to do it by using regular Windows Vista tools. This feature is extremely useful, when you have to reinstall your computer or use the same settings of wireless networks for different machines.In order to use the program, all you have to do is to run it once. The program generate small file, can be handled and transfered in diskette. Later if you'll run this generated file, all settings of wireless networks will be restored on target machine".You may also like Vista Battery Saver from the same blog.


10.Miscellaneous  - Desktop Data , My Documents Data,Shortcuts on desktop,Fonts,Saved Passwords ,CD-key  of windows,office.


11.Google Chrome - When i started writing this post on 22nd Sep08 i used only firefox but now when i am completing it i use chrome for 40% of my surfing(when feed reading on google reader).All this while i have been busy with exams.Most of the older people (above 30yrs) to whom i introduced firefox and tabbed browsing never used firefox but they continued with IE.But  when i met them(doctors,uncles...) recently they switched to chrome on their own!!

• Backup Chrome, create profiles with Google Chrome Profile Backup
• Create Separate Profiles in Google Chrome for Family Members and Stay Extra Safe.
• With Unchrome you can remove the clientID of Chrome.
• If you like Chrome you may also like SRWare Iron.SRWare Iron is based on Chrome's sourcecode minus Googles objectives.With Iron no  information is sent to Google. Chrome VS Iron .  

12. Driver Backup - If you are proud owner of extinct hardwares or branded PCs make sure you backup them with the following softwares to avoid getting into trouble latter.A month ago when my friend formatted his Compaq Presario, the drivers downloaded from the website didnt even work.

• DriverBackup! - "Fast and user-friendly free tool for drivers's backup, restoration and removal with command line options, automatic restoration from CD\DVD and path formatting. DriverBackup! includes also an interactive command line builder." Its opensource , portable and you can easily select between devices with OEM(devices with a Microsoft driver),Third parts(devices with a third part driver),Digital signature(devices with a digital signature (“WHQL”) only),Full portability(devices that are totally compatible with backup and restore)drivers.
• DriverMax   - "is a new tool that allows you to download the latest driver updates for your computer. No more searching for rare drivers on discs or on the web or inserting one installation CD after the other. Just create a free account, log in, and start downloading the updates that you need."

13.Evernotes Database - Writing a diary has always been a funny thing to me but after i met evernote i started writing a diary.Subject notes,Ideas,Blogs,Word Meanings,Lessons learnt in life,To-Dos...are all present in my evernote database.The evernote database is the most precious thing on my harddisk.

• Database Location:- C:\Program Files\Evernote3\Databases3\AccountName.exb or
• Simply install Evernotes Portable version :- In Menus >> Application

14.Windows Updates - 5 Ways To Update Your Windows Operating System

15.Email Client Data -  "Amic Email Backup is a handy software tool for Microsoft Windows based PCs designed to create backup copy of your email database. Amic Email Backup can save emails, address book, settings, mail and news accounts, message rules, blocked senders lists and signatures to a single, compact, compressed backup file that can be easily restored when necessary.Most computer users do not have anything else to backup except their email, as all other files can be restored from original software CDs if a virus or hdd crash make the computer unusable."  Download  


16.Anti-Virus Definitions - If you use the auto-update feature and dont download the definitions manually you will loose the latest definitions after a clean format.

• Kaspersky Updates

K8 - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Kaspersky Lab\AVP8\Bases

K7 - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Kaspersky Lab\AVP7\Bases

• Kaspersky Settings - Application settings can also be backed up >>Settings>>Protection
• Symantec Definitions can be backed up with the help of Update Locator .The Update Locator finds Symantec virus definitions and copies them onto the Desktop into a folder called Update Locator Virus Definitions. This allows you to copy them to another location for use on another computer.

17.Backup Network (broadband) Settings - The windows way has been described here but the simplest way is to use the following commands:-

To backup your network settings:-

netsh interface dump > settings.txt

To restore your network settings:-

netsh exec settings.txt

This will backup everything(IP address,DNS servers,etc).The configuration file is made in c:\Documents and Settings\Username\filename.ext.Backup the file before a reinstall and restore it to the same location after a clean format before running the restore command.Very useful if you have to use the same settings on many computers.

Solutions to the above problem :- 

1. Files and Settings Transfer Wizard - C:\windows\system32\usmt\migwiz.exe.(Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools ).You can choose to back up files and settings or only files/settings.Under the settings tab you can select :- Accessibilty,CMD Prompt Settings,Display Properties ,IE Settings,Network Printers and Drives,Windows Media Playar,Taskbar,etc. It is a convenient way to backup small settings.

2. Change Program Files Directory - By default all the programs are installed in C:\Program Files.You never know how many programs you will install so it is always recommended to change the default location of program files to a separate partition.Many programs continue to run after fresh windows reinstallation.I personally use a separate 12GB partition for Program Files.If you use multiple copies of Windows XP(for Gaming,Net,etc) then you can set a common Program Files Folder which will also save you the pain of installing essential applications across multiple copies of Windows XP and save disk space.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion]
"ProgramFilesDir"="F:\\"
"CommonFilesDir"="F:\\Common Files"
"ProgramFilesDir (x86)"="F:\\Program Files (x86)"

• Last line in the reg file is for 64-bit Windows.
  
• Type in Windows+R  " %CommonProgramFiles%" , "%ProgramFiles%",to check your current envoirment variables. For 64-bit Windows :- "%ProgramFiles(x86)%" =C:\Program Files (x86),"%ProgramW6432%"=C:\Program Files
  
• Microsoft does not support changing the location of the Program Files folder by modifying the ProgramFilesDir registry value
  

3.Change Location of My Documents Folder - In the Start Menu >> Right Click My Documents >> Properties >> Target.More here.


4.Changing Location of Documents and Settings Folder - Move your Documents and Settings folder from the default location to a safe place.If you get the access denied error while copying then skip "LoggedOnUserName\Application Data\Microsoft " folder.Make registry settings as described here, here  or  here(complete)  .After making the necessary changes logoff and login again.

Typing "%UserProfile%" in run will now open the new location.In linux you can assign /home to a separate partition.

Frustrated with Windows ??
Try Ubuntu

5.Make an Image of your Windows Partition - You can make an image of your windows partition after installing all the system drivers,tweaking,activation and essential softwares with Acronis True Image or Norton Ghost.When something goes wrong you can restore windows from the image. 



In case if i missed something then please add-up in the comments section and let me know if you found it useful.